Re: [Internetradio] Reciva changes direction and future of internet radios unclear
Remember that the Sharpfin project can at least allow for a local database if the Reciva directory ever goes away. On Thu, 5 May 2011, Rob de Santos wrote: Excellent observations, Rich. There were hints the past few months that something was up. Development on beta versions all but stopped; the user forums were at least partially closed; and rumors were that large numbers of staff were laid off. Well before that though, Reciva has suffered from a failure to update their firmware in a timely manner and other competitors had added features that they failed to match with equivalent or better options. Anyone who has tried one of the latest versions of the Logitech products can see what is possible. My hope is that if they do abandon the hardware side, the firmware is made open source allowing those interested to keep it alive. Whether the new strategy can be implemented any more successfully than the old one is unclear. Their financial position is also unclear. -- -Rob de Santos -Original Message- From: Richard Cuff [mailto:rdc...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 11:22 PM To: rdesan...@afana.com; Internet radio discussion Subject: Re: [Internetradio] Reciva changes direction and future of internet radios unclear Not a real surprise when you stop think about how how computing technology is moving to an always-connected state. This shift, as they state, decouples their work from the gizmos themselves -- if a device can interact with the application-programming interface (the API) then the device can use whatever info that Reciva has created. The shift also allows Reciva to hedge their bets - by ignoring the platform itself and focusing on the value-added of their station information. Take this Google Mail website that I'm using -- doesn't matter if I use Windows 7, Mac OS, a Linux flavor, or a mobile phone; I can still access GMail. What could mess things up for Reciva-based hardware is a blessing of Flash audio by Apple for its iPhones / iPods / iPads. As long as a significant chunk of the web audience doesn't have access to Flash formatted material, we users of Internet Radio hardware won't likely be shut out. Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA ___ Internetradio mailing list Internetradio@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/internetradio To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to internetradio-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. -- For better security, ask for my GPG public key. ___ Internetradio mailing list Internetradio@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/internetradio To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to internetradio-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.
Re: [Internetradio] Reciva changes direction and future of internet radios unclear
Not that I've had any desire to depend on an external database to make an internet appliance run, this type of change by Reciva has more-or-less cemented my likelihood of NOT buying such a device, no matter how cheap they might get. If I can't depend on the service behind the device, why bother? And since I don't have a smartphone and am not likely to get one in the future if I can help it, I probably won't be going the route of depending on, or even really listening to, audio programming via the internet or streaming platforms except for the occasional download or podcast to the computer. For the most part I'm content with NPR over-the-air programming and the slight variety in the timing of program selection by my having at least three different public radio stations/networks at my disposal over the air (who fortunately don't follow exactly the same schedule). Plus I keep one of my bedside radios on CBC R1 on the CBW 990 AM version out of Manitoba, which fortunately comes in on skip around my bedtime most nights. Old fashioned I guess, even at age 51. So is my wife. Kevin Anderson -- - Kevin Anderson, Dubuque IA USA, K9IUA k9iua (at) yahoo (dot) com - ___ Internetradio mailing list Internetradio@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/internetradio To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to internetradio-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.
Re: [Internetradio] Reciva changes direction and future of internet radios unclear
Well, Kevin, if you are satisfied with what you have then it's not an issue. However, I think any dependence on a specific media source (including NPR and the CBC) would seem to me to be fraught with risk these days. IMHO, the best strategy is to have as many options as possible. No technology or device is without risk of obsolescence. Your concern with the external database is misplaced in this discussion of Reciva. The Reciva database is the one thing that isn't at risk at present. The public statements indicate that the new strategy depends on that database and Reciva is still maintaining it on a daily basis. Nothing is forever but for now, the database is not at risk. As Dan has pointed out, the firmware in many cases can be replaced with the Sharpfin project (if it comes to that) and that allows use of a local or substitute database. -- -Rob de Santos -Original Message- From: Kevin Anderson [mailto:k9...@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, May 06, 2011 10:27 AM To: Internet radio discussion Subject: Re: [Internetradio] Reciva changes direction and future of internet radios unclear Not that I've had any desire to depend on an external database to make an internet appliance run, this type of change by Reciva has more-or-less cemented my likelihood of NOT buying such a device, no matter how cheap they might get. If I can't depend on the service behind the device, why bother? And since I don't have a smartphone and am not likely to get one in the future if I can help it, I probably won't be going the route of depending on, or even really listening to, audio programming via the internet or streaming platforms except for the occasional download or podcast to the computer. For the most part I'm content with NPR over-the-air programming and the slight variety in the timing of program selection by my having at least three different public radio stations/networks at my disposal over the air (who fortunately don't follow exactly the same schedule). Plus I keep one of my bedside radios on CBC R1 on the CBW 990 AM version out of Manitoba, which fortunately comes in on skip around my bedtime most nights. Old fashioned I guess, even at age 51. So is my wife. Kevin Anderson -- - Kevin Anderson, Dubuque IA USA, K9IUA k9iua (at) yahoo (dot) com - ___ Internetradio mailing list Internetradio@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/internetradio To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to internetradio-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above. ___ Internetradio mailing list Internetradio@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/internetradio To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to internetradio-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.
Re: [Internetradio] Reciva changes direction and future of internet radios unclear
I agree. With any Internet radio listening device other than a personal computer, some sort of external database is part of the equation, and you can't get around that. It's the way you get a manageable user interface on any Internet radio appliance -- whether it's an Internet radio, a smartphone, or a car radio. Those who are behind the streams know this too, especially in the world of smartphones and cars. RC On Fri, May 6, 2011 at 12:50 PM, Rob de Santos rdesan...@afana.com wrote: Your concern with the external database is misplaced in this discussion of Reciva. The Reciva database is the one thing that isn't at risk at present. The public statements indicate that the new strategy depends on that database and Reciva is still maintaining it on a daily basis. Nothing is forever but for now, the database is not at risk. ___ Internetradio mailing list Internetradio@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/internetradio To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to internetradio-requ...@hard-core-dx.com?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.
